3 Soldiers To Face Court Martial In Jos

Three soldiers of the Special Task Force on Jos crisis code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau State,  are to face court martial after been accused of various offences.
Inaugurating the court martial yesterday at 3 Armored Division of the Nigeria Army, Rukuba, Bassa LGA of the state, Commander OPSH, Major General Tagbo Ude, said the offences the accused persons are being  tried ranged from manslaughter, offences in relation to public and service property, as well as conduct to prejudice of military discipline.
According to him,  all the offenses are punishable under Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
“It is a well known fact that discipline is the bedrock of the  Nigerian military, hence the powers conferred on me by the virtues of  section 131 Armed Forces Act to convene this General Court Martial, to  try the said accused persons.’’
He explained that the court martial is only one of the apparatus put in place by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to discipline its erring  personnel.
‘‘Its establishment is predicated on the fact that the Armed Forces of Nigeria holds its personnel in high esteem, hence its resolve that a thorough investigation be conducted before any suspect can be put on trial.
“Let me at this juncture assure all of us that justice will not only  be done on this entire trial, but will see to have been done.
“This is not only because the case against each accused was thoroughly investigated, to ensure that an innocent person is not wrongly  accused, as I pointed out earlier, but for the fact that my command  has painstakingly selected credible officers from various services of  the Armed Forces, who are well knowledgeable of military law”, Ude  stressed.
He urged members of the court martial to be “just and fair” in the  conduct of the trial, by ensuring that each accused person is given a  fair trial.
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